The Results: ZL1 vs GT500

Located 25 miles northeast of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Grattan has been around since the early 1960s, a racetrack that wends through picturesque fields of grass, surrounded by lakes and leafy green trees. Unlike most modern circuits, Grattan only has one configuration and is not adorned with signage or excess Armco.

A good thing too, as the 2.0-mile track is a complex ribbon of asphalt that hides apexes behind elevation changes, jumps and off-camber turns. Mowing the lawn (via an off-course excursion) is a frequent occurrence, even for the experienced racer.

A. We begin a lap almost halfway down the 3200-ft. straight. Both cars are clipping along in excess of 120 mph with the GT500 nipping 140 before having to brake. The ZL1 lags by 4 mph into Turn 1, but carries 4 mph more past the apex and pips the Shelby by a good margin. Without PTM and the ZL1's better rubber, it's surprising the GT500 isn't farther back. With the Shelby's stability control fully disabled, be very careful with your right foot in bends.

B. Pavement at this 90-degree right-hander drops away at the apex, guaranteeing the need for fast hands to catch the rotation. The ZL1's PTM system assists here with audible burps and sputters. The GT500 has no aids and requires a deft touch to balance the rear just so; up to the grass, but no farther. Superb steering feel makes the GT500 precise, even with a slithering rear end. The two are tied as they sprint to the entry into C.

C. There's no chance for the Shelby here. A severely off-camber 120-degree left turn necessitates too much twist of its solid rear axle and the ZL1 pulls almost 0.10g more lateral force. Through the following right that leads to the jump, the ZL1 continues to carry its speed and deny the GT500 a chance to catch up, even though the massive power of the Shelby allows it to match exit speeds.

D. Confidence over the jump is important for fast laps and the ZL1 has it. Both cars required braking slightly before the crest. I tried it once without braking, only to blaze a path through the grass. Interestingly, the ZL1 preferred an early apex into the complex of slow corners after the jump. It could carry speed down the jump and then scrub it before making the following flat left. The GT500 didn't have that stability and liked the traditional approach of a late apex: slow in, fast out. Both managed the same speed at the point of turn-in for the next turn, but the ZL1 was quicker through the section with its tighter line. They battle it out through the cresting corners and into the bowl turn, where the ZL1 again has a slight advantage in cornering power.

E. After the bowl is a long sweeping, increasing-radius right with an undulating surface. Over the hump the ZL1 draws out a decent gap, but as the corner straightens the GT500 powers its way back up to speed, only to be struck down again with the necessity of early trail-braking into the next bend, not the Shelby's forte. Again, the ZL1 is much more stable than the GT500 during hard cornering and braking.

F. A tricky slow right drops away very quickly and it's easy to grossly miss the apex. The trick is to aim for the grass, and miss. Both cars took this corner equally well, with the two running hard up the hill until the GT500 pulls away slightly. However, a super sketchy corner awaits and the GT500 has to back off. The ZL1 shines brightest here, with PTM minimizing the drama as the inside tires leave the ground. The right-hander is more than a corner, it's a hump. The pavement falls away near the crest right at apex. The GT500 refuses to take this fast as excess speed results in a lurid slide toward a grass knoll covered in tractor tires filled with dirt and planted with geraniums. Those flowers seem much farther away in the confidence-inspiring ZL1, which carries an extra 4 mph through this tricky turn, with inside wheels in the air.

G. And finally, now that we're going straight, the GT500 digs in and puts 3 mph over on the ZL1. But it's not nearly enough to catch the Camaro.

The Results

PERFORMANCE

Performance points based on proportional scale (normalization).

Points

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

2013 Ford Shelby GT500

0-60 mph

30 pts

26.9

30.0

0–1/4 mile

30 pts

29.0

30.0

Slalom

30 pts

30.0

29.8

Skidpad

30 pts

30.0

29.1

Braking, 60–0 mph

30 pts

30.0

29.7

Braking, 80–0 mph

30 pts

30.0

29.8

Fuel economy, EPA

20 pts

17.1

20.0

SUBTOTAL

200 pts

193.0

198.4

SUBJECTIVE

Subjective ratings based on points awarded in each of 12 categories by editors and scored based on a proportional scale.

Driving excitement

20 pts

19.0

20.0

Engine

20 pts

18.0

20.0

Gearbox

20 pts

20.0

20.0

Steering

20 pts

18.0

20.0

Brakes

20 pts

20.0

18.0

Ride

20 pts

20.0

17.0

Handling

20 pts

20.0

18.0

Exterior styling

15 pts

14.3

15.0

Interior styling

15 pts

14.3

15.0

Seats

10 pts

10.0

10.0

Ergonomics/ controls

10 pts

10.0

9.0

Luggage space

10 pts

9.0

10.0

SUBTOTAL

200 pts

192.6

192.0

POINTS STANDINGS

Points based on a proportional scale, independent of price.

Total Points

400 pts

385.6

390.4

FINAL STANDINGS

2

1

STANDINGS, PRICE DEPENDENT

Points based on a proportional scale; points range based on percentage of top price.

Price as tested

200 pts

200.0

194.2

$57,590

$65,075

Price-sensitive total points

585.6

584.6

Price-sensitive standings

1

2

You can't go wrong with either. Each offers a subtle twist to a high-performance pony, and while one may be quicker here, or faster there, they both offer some major muscle that will rock anyone's socks. Anyone can go fast in a straight line, but it takes real suspension to handle all the bumpy corners and that's exactly where the ZL1 works best for me.
—Shaun BaileyAssociate Engineering Editor

Muscle cars are not sports cars, and they're just fine with that. Getting my head wrapped around that idea was the hard part. Forget composure and civility, and ditch the idea of friendly. Which of these pony cars makes me want to be a hooligan? Which one makes me want to do burnouts? Which one do I want to rev to redline? The GT500.
—Calvin KimAssistant Road Test Editor

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